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Thunderbird password

  • 3 replies
  • 0 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by christ1

chrisjae
chrisjae
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How to get back to inputting my password when I log in and at the first email sent?

I like inputting my password every time I log in and also had set it for inputting my password for the first message I was sending for privacy and security reasons.

Recently Thunderbird stopped asking me for a password. The saved passwords are nothing like the password I had been using. So, I am confused. Where do they come from? What happened that Thunderbird is not asking me for a password any longer. Had that something to do with an update? I don't dare to remove those saved passwords for fear they are important and I won't be able to use Thunderbird.

How to get back to inputting my password when I log in and at the first email sent? I like inputting my password every time I log in and also had set it for inputting my password for the first message I was sending for privacy and security reasons. Recently Thunderbird stopped asking me for a password. The saved passwords are nothing like the password I had been using. So, I am confused. Where do they come from? What happened that Thunderbird is not asking me for a password any longer. Had that something to do with an update? I don't dare to remove those saved passwords for fear they are important and I won't be able to use Thunderbird.

All Replies (3)

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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The saved passwords are nothing like the password I had been using.

Some email providers such as Gmail, AOL, Yahoo, and others are using OAuth2 authentication. That means Thunderbird stores an OAuth2 authentication token, and not the actual account password. The token expires at some point, and you'll be prompted to re-authenticate. I'd assume you do use OAuth2 authentication.

chrisjae
chrisjae Question owner
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Thank you. This confirms my caution in removing those stored passwords. It does not explain the reason for thunderbird not asking for my password any longer and how I can restore having to input my password. Thank you very much for finding an answer for me.

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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It does not explain the reason for thunderbird not asking for my password any longer and how I can restore having to input my password.

If your account uses OAuth2 authentication:

  • delete the OAuth2 authentication token Thunderbird has remembered
  • restart Thunderbird
  • re-authenticate and make sure not to check the box 'Remember password'
  • have fun with re-authentication every time Thunderbird starts